Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has questioned Danny Welbeck’s scoring record, as reported by The Daily Star.
Just a few months into his Old Trafford reign, the Dutch coach decided to part ways with the England striker and Mexican Javier Hernandez.
Criticism
And despite being forced out of Old Trafford, Welbeck insists that he has nothing to prove to his former employers.
“Nobody can really criticise my finishing because they don’t really see me playing in a forward position too often,” he said according to the newspaper.
“But now I am getting into these positions I want to be sticking the ball in the back of the net.
“Obviously people can say I’ve not scored enough goals, but you stick the best strikers on the wing in a four-man midfield and see if they score goals.
“If you’re getting goals and getting a run of games in your preferred position, your confidence is going to grow and performances are going to grow as well.
“But I’m getting into these positions much more regularly now, and I’m looking forward to sticking the ball in the back of the net.”
Appearances
Welbeck adds more to the team than just goals, he defends from the front and constantly presses the opposition’s back line. His pace terrorises defenders and makes them drop back, which allows Arsenal’smidfield to get higher up the pitch.
In seven years at Old Trafford, he made 53 appearances and scored 20 goals, but 39 of those appearances were as a substitute. So, he has started 14 times and scored 20 goals not bad for a striker that has been labelled as not prolific.
Most of the time, he was forced to play out wide under Sir Alex Ferguson and often begged to be played as a centre-forward.
He bought in Radamel Falcao as replacement, but the Colombian who missed the World Cup through injury, has failed to shine so far in a United shirt.
Robin Van Persie is not getting any younger and after his World Cup exertions might need a break from the starting 11.
Controversial
Wayne Rooney has started the season well by scoring three goals in the Red Devils’ first six games but he will be missing for three games after a wild lunge at Stewart Downing during their controversial 2-1 victory over West Ham United.
The England skipper will not be present for games against his boy hood club Everton this weekend, the away trip to West Bromwich Albion and a home clash to league leaders Chelsea.
But Rooney should be back for the difficult trip to the Etihad the following week.
Welbeck showed Van Gaal what he could be missing out on with a sublime hat-trick, his first in professional football in Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Galatasaray on Wednesday.
Van Gaal’s loss might be Arsene’s gain if he can teach him like he did Thierry Henry. If he can get anywhere near the Frenchman’s level, he might just be the signing of the season.
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